{"id":32913,"date":"2018-10-11T17:16:23","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T14:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.propertyshark.com\/Real-Estate-Reports\/?p=32913"},"modified":"2025-07-09T10:35:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T07:35:09","slug":"why-certificates-of-occupancy-are-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.propertyshark.com\/Real-Estate-Reports\/2018\/10\/11\/why-certificates-of-occupancy-are-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Certificates of Occupancy Are Important"},"content":{"rendered":"

A certificate of occupancy is issued by a government agency or a building department. The purpose is to certify that a building is in compliance with building codes and that it is suitable for occupancy. It is issued by local government agencies and the process of certification varies based on the rules of the issuing agency. The certificate of occupancy is essential for a building to become operational – without a valid certificate, a building cannot be occupied.<\/p>\n

<\/span>When is a certificate of occupancy required?<\/span><\/h3>\n

A certificate of occupancy is generally required when one of three things happens:<\/p>\n

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  1. A new building is constructed.<\/li>\n
  2. A property is converted to a new use, such as from residential to commercial.<\/li>\n
  3. Ownership of a multi-family, commercial, or industrial property changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In some towns and areas, certificates of occupancy may be required for other instances. For example, some towns require this in cases of major construction that has the potential to change the occupancy of a property or the exit pattern of a building.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>What does a certificate of occupancy state?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    At a minimum, a certificate of occupancy will generally state:<\/p>\n